Career and Education Opportunities for Auto Mechanics in Overland Park, Kansas

Many educational and employment opportunities exist for auto mechanics in the Overland Park, Kansas area. The national trend for auto mechanics sees this job pool growing by about 4.7% over the next eight years. Auto mechanics generally repair automobiles, trucks, and other vehicles.

The income of an auto mechanic is about $15 per hour or $32,970 yearly on average in Kansas. In the U.S. as a whole, their income is about $16 hourly or $35,100 per year on average. Earnings for auto mechanics are better than earnings in the general category of Automotive in Kansas and better than general Automotive category earnings nationally.

The Overland Park area is home to sixty-one schools of higher education, including three within twenty-five miles of Overland Park where you can get a degree as an auto mechanic. Auto mechanics usually hold a post-secondary certificate, so it will take a short time to learn to be an auto mechanic if you already have a high school diploma.

CAREER DESCRIPTION: Auto Mechanic

In general, auto mechanics repair automobiles, trucks, and other vehicles. They also master mechanics repair virtually any part on the vehicle or specialize in the transmission system.

Auto mechanics maintain the cleanliness of work areas. They also inspect work orders and consider work with supervisors. Equally important, auto mechanics have to follow checklists to insure all important parts are examined, including belts, hoses, steering systems, spark plugs, brake and fuel systems, wheel bearings, and other potentially troublesome areas. They are often called upon to test and adjust repaired systems to meet manufacturers' performance specifications. They are expected to repair and service air conditioning, heating, engine-cooling, and electrical systems. Finally, auto mechanics overhaul or remove carburetors, blowers and pumps.

Every day, auto mechanics are expected to be able to twist and stretch their arms and legs to get work done. They need to maintain precise control of objects and devices through a range of movements. It is also important that they visualize how things come together and can be organized.

It is important for auto mechanics to repair or remove parts such as pistons and bearings. They are often called upon to repair manual and automatic transmissions. They also repair radiator leaks. They are sometimes expected to rebuild parts such as crankshafts and cylinder blocks. Somewhat less frequently, auto mechanics are also expected to align vehicles' front ends.

They also have to be able to formulate work procedures, using charts, technical manuals, and experience and remove and adjust headlights. And finally, they sometimes have to repair or remove parts such as pistons and bearings.

Like many other jobs, auto mechanics must be thorough and dependable and have exceptional integrity.

Similar jobs with educational opportunities in Overland Park include:

Aircraft Mechanic. Diagnose, adjust, or overhaul aircraft engines and assemblies, such as hydraulic and pneumatic systems.

EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES: Auto Mechanic Training

Kansas City Kansas Community College Technical Education Center, 2220 N 59th St, Kansas City, KS 66104-2821. Kansas City Kansas Community College Technical Education Center is a small college located in Kansas City, Kansas. It is a public school with primarily less-than 2-year programs and has 598 students. Kansas City Kansas Community College Technical Education Center has a one to two year program in Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician which graduated fourteen students in 2008.

Johnson County Community College - Overland Park, KS

Johnson County Community College, 12345 College Blvd, Overland Park, KS 66210-1299. Johnson County Community College is a large college located in Overland Park, Kansas. It is a public school with primarily 2-year programs and has 19,062 students. Johnson County Community College has a one to two year and an associate's degree program in Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician which graduated seven and eight students respectively in 2008.

Metropolitan Community College-Longview - Lees Summit, MO

Metropolitan Community College-Longview, 500 Longview Rd, Lees Summit, MO 64081-2105. Metropolitan Community College-Longview is a medium sized college located in Lees Summit, Missouri. It is a public school with primarily 2-year programs and has 5,848 students. Metropolitan Community College-Longview has an associate's degree program in Automotive Engineering Technology/Technician which graduated nineteen students in 2008.

LOCATION INFORMATION: Overland Park, Kansas

Overland Park, Kansas photo by Americasroof

Overland Park is located in Johnson County, Kansas. It has a population of over 171,231, which has grown by 14.9% over the last ten years. The cost of living index in Overland Park, 82, is well below the national average. New single-family homes in Overland Park are valued at $408,400 on average, which is far greater than the state average. In 2008, one hundred sixty-four new homes were constructed in Overland Park, down from three hundred fifty-four the previous year.

The three most popular industries for women in Overland Park are health care, educational services, and professional, scientific, and technical services. For men, it is professional, scientific, and technical services, finance and insurance, and broadcasting and telecommunications. The average commute to work is about 20 minutes. More than 52.1% of Overland Park residents have a bachelor's degree, which is higher than the state average. The percentage of residents with a graduate degree, 17.3%, is higher than the state average.

The unemployment rate in Overland Park is 6.7%, which is greater than Kansas's average of 6.3%.

The percentage of Overland Park residents that are affiliated with a religious congregation, 50.8%, is more than both the national and state average. Christ Church, Adventist Church and Atonement Church are among the churches located in Overland Park. The most prominent religious groups are the Catholic Church, the United Methodist Church and the Presbyterian Church (USA).

Overland Park is home to the Windmill Square and the Westbrook Country Club. Shopping centers in the area include Cherokee Hills Shopping Center, Cherokee South Shopping Center and Trail West Shopping Center. Visitors to Overland Park can choose from Hampton Inn Overland Park- KS, Holiday Inn Hotel and Suites and Pear Tree Inn by Drury for temporary stays in the area.